The FINANCIAL -- GAZA, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a televised speech on November 5 he did not want to run for reelection in January but his wording made some think he could change his mind.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church will make a one-day visit to Azerbaijan on Friday, a spokesman for the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board said on November 6.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, the sole shooter in a rampage at the Fort Hood military base in the U.S. state of Texas on November 5 is alive, CNN quoted Army Lt. Gen. Robert Cone as saying.

The FINANCIAL -- UNITED NATIONS, The United Nations General Assembly on November 5 adopted a nonbinding resolution urging Israel and Palestinians to investigate war crimes during the December 2008-January 2009 armed conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The FINANCIAL -- TEL AVIV, Israel's prime minister said on November 5 the UN should investigate Iranian attempts at arms smuggling rather than criticize Tel Aviv over its role in the 2008/09 Gaza Strip conflict.